The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-09
THE CONVENTION.

Their work may be detailed historically or
enalyzed by themes. For many reasons the
second plan is the better, chiefly because it
avoids detail and makes the conclusion clearer
Four general schemes were suggested:
First-The extreme Federalist or National
ist plan: That the states should be practically
abolished; reduced TO mere departments, and
on their ruins one strong government estab-
lished-"on the British model" added Hamil-
ton. The convention took one good look at
this plan and rejected it-unanimously. 1t
does not appear that they did more than
merely listen to its presentation.
Second-The extreme states rights plan,
That the Confederation should be strength
ened a little, SO far as to have an independent
revenue and exercise some control over COM
merce, each state to retain its absolute sove-
reignty as before. The convention con-
sidered this at some length and rejected 1t,
not quite unanimously.
Third-The moderate Nationalist plan.
Fourth-The moderate states rights plan.
Out Of the last two, by compromise, the
convention evolved the present constitution,
with the understanding that it was to be con-
strued according to the plain meaning Of the
words on these three basis principles:
First-That the power of tho flag, the
sword and the national purse (and these con-
stitute sovereignty should be vested exclu-
sively in the national government.
Second-That as to these, the public prop
erty, especially the land, certain general
functions, and all foreign affairs, the people
OF the United States should constitute one
nation
Third-That just enough-and no more
powers should be taken from the states to
constitute a government for these general
purposes, and all other powers remain in the
states az before.
James Madison came with the outline of a
constitution already formed and employed
the days of waiting in urging its main points
upon the delegates who first arrived. Ed
mund Randolph had elaborated certain prin-
ciples in addition to those of Madison. Wash
ington had drawn up the heads of these con-
stitutions. Paterson, of New Jersey, had q
plan which was merely to strengthen the
confederation. And it was known that Con-
necticut was coming with still another.
"The New Jersey SYSTEM" said those who
spoke first, ais federal, the Virginia system
national; in the first the powers flow from
the state governments, but in the latter they
derive authority from the people of the
states.n And even before the convention
met, the extreme states rights party had
sounded an alarm about the Virginia plan.
"iiiialh JONES' OF Nortn Oarohha' refused 70
serve S nc uhue,s1oou .he convention was
ues,sheu 70 suoo,ainaIe % t the s'a.eS' ana was
.epiacou py hush ilian'soh, an Original
tree soiier, VINO wanted slavery excluded
from all new states TatricK hehry, ihoma
Neisoh anu hichaiu iiehry Lee, Oh virginia
refused to accept their appointments as they
would not act under the Virginia resolutions
anu were Iepiaceu py men Oh much less hots
pu. aueh' na'iohaiists, Eumunu hahdoipt
mavereu' ms nrse intent was 10 Vote Tor
meie nv s'rehs'neh'ns oi .ne cohIeaeration' ou
n,s peisoln Iecoru @ pointed 70 has,ohaiish na q
m n'S ma, posiuoh, ihousn oue 90 years oia
ne n''u po,ho very ao'iVe par' III Tue revo
Iu'ion m anu was no" governor oi virginia
10 nm, 'ne,eiore, was Hitrus.ed the duty
| plesen.lng Tue Virginia al pan 70 the cohVeh
ss o "nacn n,.,ona ne aia may % IN preamble AM